Disclaimer – Only Carmichael is mine.

Chapter 10 – What Lies Beneath

Harry stood staring out across the English Channel towards the north of France. The bleak weather reflecting his mood as the rain came down in sheets and the wind buffeted him from every side. He knew he had to be chilled to the bone but he could feel nothing. He had been standing in that exact spot the entire day and he was numb.

He glanced down to the bottom of the cliff, the roiling waves churning just as much as his thoughts. Each wave pounded mercilessly against the cliffs and a part of Harry wished he could join them. As if sensing his thoughts Mother Nature allowed the sun a last hurrah before setting as a small bit of sunlight to pierced through the dark clouds and a huge rainbow lit up.

'Find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.' Harry whispered, before closing his eyes and apparating away with a soft crack.

Well, there was no pot of gold but at the end of the rainbow was something else Harry thought was even better. Something he had all but forgotten about in the turmoil of the last year. He felt his eyes fill as he took in the quaint stone cottage with powder blue shutters and a red door. It felt like so long since he had left this place. Almost five years before Harry had been injured in an attack. To this day he still didn't know what happened, only that he had been found in the woods behind this cottage unconscious and bleeding heavily from a blow to the head. The elderly French couple had nursed him back to health over a month, treating him like a grandson before sending him in his way once more. He had visited them every year since, except the last year where he'd been at the mercy of Voldemort during his usual visiting time.

Philippe and Nanette Lebaque had been his saviours once; maybe they could help him again. With a deep breath he limped slowly towards the door and knocked softly, almost hesitant to have it answered.

'Harry?'

Harry gave the Frenchman a wan smile. 'Bonsoir Philippe.' He said hoarsely. 'May I come in?'

Twenty minutes later Harry was sitting in dry clothes and wrapped in a blanket, sipping slowly at a cup of tea. Nanette bustled around the kitchen, every so often she would pat him gently on the shoulder as she passed. Philippe just smiled at him as he tucked into his evening meal. Eventually Nanette sat and both looked at him expectantly.

'I'm sorry for just dropping in.' Harry said softly. 'I had no where else to go.'

Nanette reached over and patted his hand. 'Do not even think on it, little one. You know you are always welcome here.' It was said with such sincerity that Harry felt his eyes fill again but this time unlike the hundreds of others during the day, he found he couldn't stop them and soon Nanette was by his side as he sobbed uncontrollably on her shoulder.

'There, there, un petite. It can't be as bad as all that.' She said soothingly as she held him tightly. Eventually Harry stopped and Nanette sat down once more as Harry sniffed quietly.

'What happened, Harry?' Philippe asked gently. 'I've never seen you so upset and you look awful.'

'I…I don't know where to start.' Harry admitted.

'Try the beginning, cheri.' Nanette said encouragingly.

Harry sighed wearily and began with the final battle. They knew all about magic, Harry having told them when he was here the first time. He told them of Voldemort's destruction and of his injury. Of how he and Severus had made up and the difficulties with Fudge that caused them to move to America. His subsequent arrest when he returned to the UK, what happened at the United Nations, and finally what had happened this morning.

After he had finished Philippe and Nanette exchanged slightly incredulous glances before standing and together gently lifting Harry from the chair. Silently they bundled him down to the guest room and into bed.

Harry looked up at them curiously.

'Rest, Harry. You need it more than anything else; we can talk more in the morning.'

Harry glanced away nervously. He wished he could cast a silencing charm without out alerting the French Ministry he was there. Unfortunately Harry's magic was too strong even on such a small thing, and without wards his signature would be visible for hundreds of miles around them.

As if knowing exactly what he was thinking Nanette sat down on the edge of the bed and gently turning Harry's face back towards us. 'Your nightmares do not worry us, cheri. Please just relax. No one knows you're here. You're safe just to rest.'

Harry looked between them before nodding. 'Thank you.' He whispered before closing his eyes.

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Back in England things were reaching boiling point. Albus had had Order members out scouting for Harry all day. No one could find him and no one had seen him. Severus had left that morning and no one had seen him either. All in all it was about as bad as it could get.

Well, they thought it was.

That was until hundreds of owls flew the next morning at breakfast carrying special editions of the Daily Prophet with the headlines screaming. 'BOY-WHO-LIVED RETURNS HOME'

'Oh shit.' Ron swore as they opened their copy at the head table in the great hall. Hermione glanced at Dumbledore and the headmaster nodded. Without even a word the three stood and swept from the hall leaving the students whispering about what could possibly have happened.

'How in hell did they find out?' Ron burst out as soon as they made it back to the office.

'I don't know.' Albus admitted. Suddenly the fire flared and Tonks head appeared in it, complete with fluoro pink hair that clashed horribly with the green flames. Her expression however was solemn, something which was almost unseen.

'Ron, Hermione. We need you here now.' She said quietly.

The two ex Gryffindors paled. 'What happened?'

Tonks shook her head. 'Could you please just floo here. There is someone who wants to talk to you.'

Ron and Hermione exchanged glances before nodding. Within moments of Tonks' head disappearing Ron and Hermione tossed in some floo powder and stepped through.

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Once they had stepped out of the floo they found Tonks, Kingsley and Amelia Bones waiting for them. Without a word they were led down what seemed like fifty different corridors and twenty flights of stairs until they reached the Department of International Magical Co-operation. There they were ushered into a room and the door closed behind them.

'I do hope you are happy with yourselves.' Came a cold voice from the fireplace. Ron and Hermione turned to see head of the American Secretary in the fire.

'Oh no.' Hermione whispered.

Carmichael Springs glared at them. When the older wizard was angry he looked considerably like the young man he thought of as a son. Strong, powerful and very, very, pissed. 'Where is Mr Snape?'

'We don't know.' Ron admitted.

The American scowled. 'Fine, just so you know. I'm holding the three of you personally responsible for anything that happens to him. I can't believe you could be that stupid.'

'We were trying to help.' Hermione insisted.

Carmichael snorted. 'And this is your idea of help.' He said sarcastically. 'You two have known Harry much longer than I but even I know that his hero complex would never have allowed him to share his pain with anyone. The fact that you didn't even ask him first shows a blatant disregard for him as a person. You still think of him as a child.'

'One that can't take care of himself.' Came a voice from the American side. One Ron and Hermione instantly identified as Neville.

'I…I…' Hermione trailed off.

'Do you need anything?' Carmichael asked suddenly. 'To help find him.'

Hermione shook her head. 'If you could just let us know if he comes to you.' She said tearfully.

'He wouldn't go there.' Ron cut in. 'Fudge is over there.'

Carmichael growled. 'Harry doesn't even know Cornelius Fudge has escaped unless you told him and besides, he left just over two hours ago. We have his signature apparating into Canada.'

'Oh Merlin. He's coming back.' Hermione whispered.

'Most likely.' Carmichael agreed. 'I have to go. Keep me posted with any news.' Suddenly the fire went out, leaving the room cold and empty.

Hermione couldn't hold back a gasp. 'How can everything have gone so wrong?'

Ron drew his wife towards him. 'It'll be okay, Hermione. We'll find him. We'll find both of them.'

Hermione just nodded and allowed Ron to steer her towards the door. The reception waiting for them outside was slightly chilly. Obviously Neville had told Kingsley and Tonks what had happened and Madame Bones was just upset that once again the American Secretary was calling and he was unhappy.

'I trust this does not involve the Ministry?' she asked sharply.

Ron shook his head. 'No Madame Bones. Just us and Harry.'

She arched an imperious eyebrow. 'And just where is Mr Potter? Is it true he has returned to us?'

'I believe Mr Potter is somewhere safe under the Fidelius.' Kingsley cut in before Ron or Hermione could speak.

Amelia surveyed them all coolly, silently noting they wouldn't tell her on which continent the Boy-Who-Lived was hiding, before nodding and turning on her heel. She had enough dramas of her own with the escape of Cornelius Fudge without adding the suspected disappearance of Harry Potter to her list.

Three days passed, Ron and Hermione sending owl after owl in a desperate attempt to find their friend. Severus had returned the previous day and was walking around as if nothing was amiss. Albus and the others knew however, that it was only a matter of time before he cracked as the strain was very evident in his eyes if you knew how to look.

The owls continually returned, the tracing spells on them broken and it wasn't until the second day that Hermione remembered that there was certain things that Harry did almost automatically. Suppressing his apparation signature was one and being untraceable to owls that didn't have a certain spell on them was another. Obviously he had changed the spell because every one of them came back.

Harry on the other hand spent hours talking with Nanette and Philippe, trying to put his life into some semblance of order. Both were very understanding but neither could really appreciate just what Harry's life had become.

'I just don't know why I'm still here.' He said plaintively.

'What do you mean, cheri.' Nanette asked softly.

'I mean my job is done. I was born only for one purpose. I'm no longer needed. Why am I still here?'

'Don't talk such nonsense, ma cherie. You're here to brighten up our lives with your impromptu visits.' She said briskly, placing another cup of tea in front of him. 'After all, we only keep the tea here in case you come.' She explained, sipping at her own cup of coffee.

Harry snorted loudly. 'You're kidding.'

'No.' Philippe said innocently. 'You have visited us every year since the accident Harry. We know you come and we want to make sure you are comfortable. We love you Harry. You remind us of Gaston.'

Gaston had been Philippe and Nanette's son who had died in the Second World War. He had only been fourteen when the German's had shot him by mistake.

'I'm sorry.' Harry said quietly.

Nanette sighed. 'Harry, you really must stop apologising for things over which you have no control.'

'I wasn't apologising for the fact that he died.' Harry explained. 'I was sympathising with your loss. I know what that's like.'

'Oh, well that's all right then.' Nanette smiled brightly.

Harry snorted again and shook his head. 'Nannie, you are mental.' He chuckled

Philippe stifled his chuckles and moved to take his cup to the sink. As he passed the door there was a knock and he swung it open automatically without thinking before Harry even had a chance to move.

'Oh thank Merlin.'

'Neville?' Harry gaped like a fish as the other man breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed against the doorframe.

'Thank Merlin I found you. I don't think I could have apparated much more without passing out.'

'What are you doing here? How on earth did you find me?'

'Harry, do you want to invite your guest in or are you going to let him catch his death standing out on the doorstep.' Nanette scolded. Harry blushed and nodded to Philippe who gestured for Neville to come in.

When the other had removed his robes, which looked remarkably dry, sat, and gratefully accepted a cup of tea Harry spoke again.

'How on earth did you find me?'

'I'm Neville Longbottom, by the way.' Neville said brightly to the two elderly muggles who were watching the scene with interest. 'You must be Phillip and Nanette…' Neville trailed off as he fumbled in his pocket for a piece of parchment. 'Lebaque.' He finished proudly. Phillip and Nanette exchanged slightly nervous glances as Harry slammed his cup down on the table.

'Damn it, Neville.' Harry erupted. 'How did you find me?'

Neville grinned smugly. 'I remember you telling me about the lovely French couple that saved your life. You never told me any more than their first names and that they lived in Normandy, so after checking every other place I thought you might go, I went to the district, or county, or whatever it is called it here, office that registers births, deaths and marriages and looked it up.' He said proudly.

Harry's eyes widened. 'But there must be thousands of people with Philippe and Nannie's names.'

If anything Neville grinned even more smugly. 'That may well be, but only twenty three of them are married to each other and over the age of fifty. No offence.' He added quickly to Philippe and Nanette whose interest had turned to amusement as soon as it became clear the young man meant their Harry no harm.

'None taken, young man.' Philippe said with a wry grin.

'Twenty three?' Harry hissed. 'You went and saw twenty three people.'

Well, no.' Neville said with a shrug. 'This was the twelfth house I had apparated to. Bloody glad you're here mate. I'm almost knackered; doubt I could even apparate myself to the loo if I had too.'

Nanette giggled loudly, Harry having explained what apparition was.

Harry just shook his head. 'I don't want to talk about it.' He said bluntly. Neville's grin faded.

'I'm not here to make you come back, Harry.' He promised. 'I'm just here to make sure you're okay. There is something you don't know. Something we didn't get a chance to tell you before you left.'

Harry frowned at the worry evident in the other man's voice. 'What is it?' he asked tentatively.

'Fudge. He escaped from the Ministry almost a week ago. He was last seen in Canada. Someone's helping him and the rumour is that it's Lucius Malfoy.'

Harry sucked in a breath. 'That's why they took me back to Hogwarts.' He whispered. Neville nodded. Suddenly Harry's eyes went wide. 'Oh god, Neville. Did you hide your apparition signature? Have you done any magic since you arrived?'

'No and yes.' Neville answered quizzically. 'Why.'

Harry stood up, almost sinking to the floor in a dead faint as his leg screamed in protest.

'Harry?' Nanette was instantly at his side, rubbing his back and pushing the hair off his face as he swallowed convulsively. 'We have to go.' He said hoarsely. 'Philippe, Nannie, you'll have to come with us, at least for a week or two. It won't be safe for you here. I'm so sorry.'

'Harry, cheri, calm down.' Nanette said soothingly. 'I'm sure it will be fine. No one knows your here.'

'Nannie, you don't understand. Someone would have followed Neville. They know we are friends, they saw me with him in America. They would have someone following Ron and Hermione, Severus and Neville.'

Suddenly several cracks signalling apparition sounded from outside and Harry spun where he stood. 'Philippe, take Nannie and Neville down to the cellar, bolt the door and stay there until I come and get you.' He said quietly, instantly lowering the lights so shadows hung on the walls.

'Harry.' Neville protested.

Harry's green eyes sparkled. 'Now.' He hissed. Neville watched as Harry's aura seemed to flare and knew that Harry meant what he said. He nodded resignedly and followed the elderly couple towards a small door hidden under a rug in the floor.

'We used it during the war to hide from the Germans.' Philippe explained as he helped Nanette down the narrow steps. Neville, having absolutely no idea what he was talking about, descended the stairs and turned to close the trap door, getting one last glance at a battle ready Harry Potter before they were suddenly plunged into darkness.

Once the trapdoor was closed and the rug back in place Harry threw several locking and obscuring spells at it before dimming the lights and moving to stand behind the door and wait.

The Death Eaters had to know he was there. The little magic he had just performed would have felt for miles.

Suddenly the door was blasted almost off its hinges and four Death Eaters rushed in and began firing spells at anything and everything. Harry sent a silent prayer of thanks to Merlin that there was only four. He was really in no shape to be duelling at the moment. Obviously this was all they could get there quickly enough.

With that thought in mind Harry quickly moved to dispatch the four by any means and get everyone else out of there.

'Cassaer.' Harry whispered, dropping the first one. 'Avada Kedavra.' Went another. By this point the last two had realised where he was hiding and launched an all out assault on the door he was behind. Harry winced as it exploded several small splinters embedding themselves in his face.

He ducked another killing curse and deflected a Crucio. 'Venificus.' Harry murmured and one dropped to the ground letting out a chilling scream.

'Potter.' The last one hissed and Harry's eyes widened at the sight of silver eyes glaring back at him.

'Lucius.' Harry growled, raising his hand.

'You meddlesome fool, why couldn't you have died like you were supposed to?' Lucius spat as they held each other at wand point, or in Harry's case, hand point.

'Because someone had to watch out for evil bastards like you.' Harry shot back.

'Avada Kedavra.'

Harry ducked, his eyes widening at the heat that came off the curse. For several minutes the two men traded curse after curse until Harry accidentally rebounded one that hit the blond aristocrat straight in the chest. The result was a bloody mess all over both Harry and the kitchen, one which almost caused Harry to lose what little dinner he had eaten.

The silence was almost desolate but Harry knew he didn't have that much time. Without any warding spells the amount of magic that had been thrown about over the last ten minutes would have practically registered on the Richter scale and would certainly have been recorded at the various ministries throughout the continent and probably in the UK as well. Harry hobbled to the trapdoor, hissing in pain with every step and quickly dispelled all the charms.

The look of sheer relief on Neville's face as he opened the door would be something that would stay with Harry for a very long time. Nanette was crying and Harry detachedly realised that he had forgotten the silencing charms and every scream they heard they probably envisioned was his.

He quickly cast an obscuring charm so the elderly couple couldn't see the blood and bodies. 'Take Nannie and Philippe outside while I tidy up.' Harry told Neville and the other man obeyed as Harry quickly shrunk the four bodies and placed them in a small box he found under the sink. Several cleaning charms later and all the blood was gone.

Harry decided he had been long enough. They had to get out of there and soon. He limped outside handing Neville the box. 'You have a Portkey on you?' he questioned.

Neville nodded. 'I just have to apparate to Paris.'

'Take these with you. Give them to Kingsley. I'll see you back at Hogwarts. I'll apparate Philippe and Nannie with me but we may have to do several stops.'

Neville nodded again, looking slightly hesitant to leave. 'Be careful.' He said quietly.

Harry reached up and gave Neville's shoulder a squeeze. 'I'll be fine. Now, get out of here.' Neville gave him a wane smile and apparated away with a crack. A distressed Nanette looked at Harry.

'Harry, what is going on?' she whispered fearfully.

Harry sighed, his eyes pleaded. 'Can you just give me a few minutes to get us away from here and I'll explain.'

Nanette glanced at Philippe before nodding. 'Do you want us to get the car out?' the elderly man asked.

Harry shook his head. 'No. Just hold onto my hand.' He watched as they both took a deep breath and he closed his eyes and pictured a small town he knew just over the other side of the channel. It was with a small thump that they arrived, thankfully in the shadows of an alleyway. He noticed Nanette was shivering and quickly cast a warming charm on each of them before taking their hands and apparating them once more. Three more stops and the Three Broomsticks was lit up in the distance as Hogwarts gates loomed in the darkness beside them. He could feel their wedding bands pressing against the skin of his hands and quickly spelled them to allow the two elderly muggles to see through the charms and wards of Hogwarts.

'Where are we?' Philippe asked.

'This is Hogwarts.' Harry said quietly. 'You will be safe here. I'm sorry I put you in such danger.'

'How did they find you?'

'When a wizard apparates or casts a spell, unless he is very strong and can mask the signature his magic leaves behind then people have a way of tracking them. They had probably been following Neville all day in the hope they would get lucky.'

'Will we be able to go back home?' Nanette asked hopefully.

Harry nodded. 'Yes, as soon as I ward it properly and repair the doors; a week or two at the most.' He promised.

Nanette nodded and Harry gestured to the open gates.

'Rather impressive.' Philippe commented as the castle came into sight.

Harry snorted and continued limping slowly beside them. He was very tired now. The multi apparitions together with the duels had taken all of his energy and all he wanted now was a soft bed and a warm body to cuddle up to. Of course, the second part of that could be difficult seeing he wasn't even sure he could look at Severus at the moment in spite of the aching his heart felt every time he thought of the other man.

Finally they rounded the last bend to see Albus, Severus, Minerva, Ron, Hermione and Neville, who must have flooed directly from the Ministry to Albus' office, running down from the castle to meet them.

They all stopped as they got closer, all but Neville horrified to see the amount of blood covering Harry's robes. In the shock neither Harry nor the Lebaque's had even noticed.

'Oh god, Harry.' Severus whispered hoarsely stopping only feet from the younger man and dropping to his knees in front of him. 'Harry, I'm so sorry. Please.' Harry held up a hand to halt the rambling apology he knew was coming.

'Severus.' Harry whispered, his eyes filling with tears as he took in the pain and sorrow filled black eyes looking back at him unwaveringly. He felt his heart break and he knew that in spite of everything he couldn't turn the man away. 'Just ask me next time.' He finished quietly.

Severus' eyes widened comically. 'Next time?' he breathed. Suddenly Severus leant forwards, wrapping his arms around Harry's waist, heedless of the blood drenched robes and hugged Harry tightly. 'Thank you, Harry.' He whispered as tears poured down his cheeks. Harry let his cane drop to the ground and brought his arms up, cradling the potions master's head to his chest as he placed a gentle kiss on the pale forehead.

Hermione, Minerva and Nanette were all in tears and even the three men looked bright eyed.

'Severus.' Harry said quietly. The older man pulled away slightly and looked up at Harry with tear filled eyes. 'Please don't make me regret this.' He pleaded softly.

Severus rose swiftly, picking Harry up in his arms as he went, one arm tightly around Harry's waist and the other cradling his head. 'Never.' Severus vowed as he gently placed his lips over Harry's.

Harry melted into the embrace, allowing his lover's tongue to lightly tease his own before pulling away. 'I missed you.' He whispered, feeling Severus shudder slightly at the softly hissed words.

'We really should get you all back up to the castle.' Neville suggested gently. Severus nodded in agreement and gently set Harry back down on the ground but refused to relinquish his hold on his waist. Harry turned to Nanette and Philippe even as he summoned his cane back to him.

'Philippe, Nanette, this is Severus, Albus, Ron and Hermione. Neville you met already.' Harry gestured to each person in turn.

'Harry, why have you brought muggles to Hogwarts?' Ron asked curiously.

'Because they've saved my life, more than once; and are very good friends who are now in danger because of me. There is also the fact that I half destroyed their house duelling Malfoy and his cronies and they can't go back there until I can ward it properly and right now I'm far too tired.' Harry finished wearily.

Albus seemed to take charge then, bustling everyone up to the castle and towards the rooms that Harry and Severus shared. Once inside Severus finally let go of Harry and stuck his head into the fire to call for some tea. This action fascinated Philippe who couldn't stop staring. Nanette however, helped Harry to sit and rubbed his back soothingly as his face paled and his eyes squeezed shut tightly. He swallowed reflexively several times and then Severus was there, holding vials of potions to his lips and coaxing him to swallow them.

'I still don't understand why you won't let them do that spell thing if it would help you.' Nanette muttered, startling the others who hadn't realised Harry had told them everything.

Harry, for his part, just leaned against the elderly woman's shoulder as she gently brushed the sweaty hair back off his face. 'I told you, Nannie.' Harry said softly. 'I don't see why it would be better to have two people like this instead of one.'

'But it wouldn't be two people in the same amount of pain. It would be two in half as much.' Hermione couldn't help but offer, her eyes pleading with Harry to understand.

Harry looked up at her. 'Hermione, you're not listening to me. I don't want anyone else I love in any sort of pain. This is my burden. When I chose to live after Tom died, and I did choose mind you, I knew it would be like this, I knew how painful it would be and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I know you were trying to help but please, don't.'

'Harry, I….' Hermione trailed off before nodding solemnly, Ron mimicking her.

'Thank you.' Harry said softly. Suddenly the fire flared and an envelope shot out of it. Neville stooped to pick it up, grinning at the seal on the back before handing it to Harry.

Harry noted that it was addressed to him before turning it over and seeing the seal of the American Secretary and looking up at Neville, an annoyed expression on his face. 'Do you tell him every time I use the loo too?' he said dryly.

'Not if you stay inside a heavily warded area while you do it, no.' Neville said, grinning smugly. Hermione and Ron snorted as Harry rolled his eyes and cracked the wax seal before pulling the folded piece of parchment out. His face softened and then he smiled and within moments he chuckled softly. Eventually he dropped his hand and shook his head, closing his eyes as he sighed softly.

'I think I have more parents and grandparents and brother and sisters than I ever would have had if my mum and dad had lived.' He said ruefully handing the note to his lover. Severus looked curiously at him before reading the letter out loud.

'You silly boy,

How could you run off like that? I know they're all idiots but they do love you. We have all been going spare wondering if you were all right. Next time you try something like that I'm coming over there to put you over my knee and spank you, and don't think I won't. You can't afford to be reckless like that no matter what the reason. Promise me you will try to think more before running like that again. Think about those who would miss you, and about your dear old surrogate dad over here whose heart can't afford to many more shocks like that any time soon.

Please Harry, be careful.

Yours,

Carmichael

Neville was still sniggering but Severus was looking intently at Harry from his place at the young man's feet. 'He's right, Harry, we are idiots. Even after so many years, after you proving over and over again just how strong you are, what you are capable of, we all still treat you like a child. We try to protect you and smother you and believe we are doing what's best for you instead of simply asking you. Your small stature holds an irrefutable strength both in spirit and in power and sometimes we don't see past what's on the outside to what undeniably lies beneath. Harry, you have to be the strongest person I have ever had the privilege of meeting and I promise we won't fail you again.' Ron and Hermione were nodding madly in agreement.

Harry looked between his lover and his two oldest friends. 'You didn't fail me.' He whispered, grateful for Nanette's hand that continued rubbing small circles on his shoulders. 'I should be thanking Merlin for friends that would do anything to try and help me. To have someone who loves me so much he is willing to share my pain. And family that will shelter me without notice with no questions asked.' He glanced at Philippe and Nanette as he added this. 'I have spent years dwelling over all that I have lost but in reality I have gained so much more than I could have ever wished for and for that I thank you, all of you.' He finished softly. Silence reigned for several moments before all three women promptly burst into tears, Severus actually had to look away, the strength of emotion Harry's words had prompted causing an ache in his chest he knew would take some time, maybe even years, to go away.

That was how they spent the rest of the evening, in the comfort of family and loved ones, all thoughts of Malfoy and Fudge forgotten, at least until the next day. That night they just concentrated on what they had, not what they had lost, or may still lose in the days and weeks to come and, as they finally bid each other goodnight, Minerva showing Philippe and Nanette to rooms near Harry's, Albus stopped in the doorway and looked fondly, if not a little proudly, down at the Boy-Who-Lived.

'Harry,' he said softly, reaching up to place a hand on Harry's cheek. 'A wise wizard once said, Merlin, give me the strength to change the things I can, the courage to live with the things I can't, and the wisdom to tell the difference.'

Harry's eyes widened as the elderly wizard's filled with tears.

'I never believed that saying until tonight. You have shown me that it is indeed possible. Thank you.' Albus finished, bending slightly to place tender kiss on Harry's forehead before shuffling slowly out the door, Ron and Hermione in his wake.

Once they were alone Severus turned to Harry, taking the younger man in his arms. 'Thank you for trusting me, Harry.' He said quietly, the deep baritone soothing Harry's rather frayed edges like no other.

'I trust you with my life, Severus.' Harry said honestly. Severus pulled away and looked at Harry in mild disbelief. 'My heart is another matter though.' Harry added cheekily. Severus snorted softly before swooping down and kissing him soundly.

Hours later as thousands of memories washed themselves around in Harry's head he couldn't help but smile. He had a soft pillow under his head and a warm body holding him tight and he had to agree with his earlier assessment. This really was how it was supposed to be.